Utilization of YouTube and Twitter as source of information for research by medical students at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

Abstract

YouTube and Twitter have been used as a social media handles for a number of purposes; however, using same tools for research purposes among undergraduate medical students is the major reason for this study.  The study investigated the utilization of YouTube and Twitter as sources of information among undergraduate’s medical students in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), Nigeria. Descriptive survey was used with the population of 65,469 medicals students drawn from three faculties’ namely, Health sciences, Medical sciences and Laboratory sciences. A sample size of 398 undergraduates was drawn using Slovene’s formula. Questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument and distributed to 398 undergraduate medical students, out of which a total of 379 copies was returned and used for analysis. Data collected were analyzed with the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). It was found that medical students in UDUS make use of YouTube and Twitter to a great extent and they use it majorly for academic purposes. Furthermore, information overload, epileptic power supply and Spam and false news media platforms were found to be the most prominent challenges faced by medical students in UDUS using YouTube and Twitter as sources of information for research. The recommendations proffered include: lecturers should ensure that they engage the students in tasks that can require them to visit and search for academic information on YouTube and Twitter among others.